Boys & Girls Clubs selects Youth of the Year in Manatee

Carl Weeks, Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County president, with Edonya Timmons, 2013 Youth of the Year, as she received a plaque and was introduced to the crowd during a Pittsburgh Pirates game last month.

COURTESY PHOTO

Staff Report

Published: Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 10:17 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 10:17 a.m.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County selected Edonya Timmons as its Youth of the Year.

The award, which is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive, recognizes her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.

Edonya, 15, a freshman at Bayshore High School, has been a member of the De Soto Boys & Girls Club for four years.

"My first day was a little overwhelming, but being at the club gave me the opportunity to meet new people I probably would not have met before, including my best friend for over four years," Edonya said in a prepared statement. "I have learned from the many positive role models, which have been staff and the older teens as well as taking lessons from those people who have left the club and began to follow the wrong crowd."

Edonya said skills learned through the Boys & Girls Club have given her the confidence to serve in leadership roles in other groups.

"I don't think I would be as focused on my future or school if it wasn't for the staff and programs at the club," she said. :I am so proud of myself and feel like I have already accomplished so much."

She will represent the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County at the Florida State Youth of the Year conference in April.

<p>The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County selected Edonya Timmons as its Youth of the Year.</p><p>The award, which is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive, recognizes her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.</p><p>Edonya, 15, a freshman at Bayshore High School, has been a member of the De Soto Boys & Girls Club for four years.</p><p>"My first day was a little overwhelming, but being at the club gave me the opportunity to meet new people I probably would not have met before, including my best friend for over four years," Edonya said in a prepared statement. "I have learned from the many positive role models, which have been staff and the older teens as well as taking lessons from those people who have left the club and began to follow the wrong crowd."</p><p>Edonya said skills learned through the Boys & Girls Club have given her the confidence to serve in leadership roles in other groups.</p><p>"I don't think I would be as focused on my future or school if it wasn't for the staff and programs at the club," she said. :I am so proud of myself and feel like I have already accomplished so much."</p><p>She will represent the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County at the Florida State Youth of the Year conference in April.</p>